The Tai Chi Foundation program Five Element Qigong was devised by Legacy Holders Pat Gorman, M.Ac. and Gerrie Sporken, Ac.M. in order to train health practitioners in the benefits of offering qigong to their patients and clients.

What is Five Element Qigong? Five Element qigong is a therapeutic model of exercises derived from the Five Element tradition of Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing, noted Chinese physician and Tai Chi Grandmaster. This particular body of healing work is designed for practitioners of Chinese Medicine and other professional holistic therapists such as acupuncturists, bodyworkers, somatic-based psychotherapists, and healers that work directly with patients. The movements can be passed (taught to the patient) as part of a treatment session, or prescribed as “homework” to reinforce any healing process on a physical or spirit level. Within our organization, specific criteria apply to qualify an individual to practice and to prescribe medical qigong within his/her therapeutic discipline.

Qigong (pronounced “chee-gung”) is a collection of basic tai chi-style movements, massages, and energetic practices that improves the circulation and balance of the body’s vitality or “life force energy”. Instead of a continuous progression from one position to the next, as occurs in the tai chi “form”, qigong movements are simple and discrete, often pared down to a repeating pattern or a stationary meditative pose. When practiced regularly with conscious breathing and mindful awareness, qigong stimulates the body’s inherent healing energy and fosters its healthful flow throughout the body. In addition to health maintenance, qigong is especially valued for its regenerative qualities supporting individuals with minor or serious illnesses, injuries, energy blocks whether deficiencies or excesses, and emotional/spiritual disbalances. The basic individual movements are relatively easy to learn and to practice, providing the additional value of discernible benefits with a modest investment of time.

For information on when and where Five Element qigong is being offered see the TCF Calendar.